You read that correctly – that gummy smile you’ve been self conscious about for so many years can be corrected without having to go under the knife!
Gummy smile is a term used when a person’s smile shows an excessive display of gum tissue, or any amount of tissue over three to four millimeters. Some people can feel extremely self-conscious about a gummy smile, but feel helpless against gums showing when they grin.
In the past, surgery was the main treatment option, but with today’s changing technology, many patients are being offered a quick and effective new treatment.
Why Does My Smile Show My Gums?
There’s a range of reasons why your smile might look more gummy when compared to others. Determining the underlying cause for your gummy smile will help your dentist dictate the best treatment option. The most common reasons for a gummy smile include:
How to Fix a Gummy Smile with Your Dentist
You may have done research in the past for how to correct your gummy smile, and been put off by the extreme option of a gingivectomy – an operation to remove excess gum tissue. Now, there is a new go-to method for treating a gummy smile that your dentist can perform in less than an hour. For a nonsurgical gummy smile correction, your dentist can inject Botox directly into the upper lip muscles.
Benefits Of A Botox Treatment For Gummy Smile
Doctors who use Botox to quickly and effectively correct a gummy smile say this is a safe and cost effective treatment. With results lasting anywhere from three to six months and minimal recovery, botox is a great option for most.
Gingivectomy Rebalances Smiles
For a more permanent solution to a gummy smile, patients have looked to the option of the soft-tissue diode laser treatment. This treatment requires proper diagnosis to conclude that your gummy smile is not a tooth problem, but a periodontal (gum) issue. From there, a carefully planned out tissue removal process with a laser will remove excess gum tissue from each tooth on the gum line. Once the gum tissue has healed (about 6 weeks postoperative) the teeth appear larger making the gum line smaller for a more balanced smile.
Porcelain Veneers Add Tooth Length
If the issue is not just excess gum tissue, and excessive tooth wear has caused your gum-to-tooth ratio to become unproportional, then a periodontal crown lengthening and porcelain veneers procedure may be a better option for you. With this procedure, your dentist will push the affected teeth back up into the correct position, and will follow by restoring the lost tooth structure with porcelain veneers to achieve a beautiful and lasting smile.
